2/3/13 10:43 AM EST

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says it would “really be a shameful and irresponsible act” for Congress to allow sequestration to happen.

“We have to prepare for it, because, you know, there are members up on the Capitol Hill that are saying, ‘Oh no, we're gonna stand back and let sequester happen,’” Panetta said in an interview aired Sunday on NBC’s "Meet the Press."

“Let me tell you: If sequester happens, it is gonna badly damage the readiness of the United States of America. We have the most powerful military force on the face of the earth right now.”

If sequester goes into effect, the cuts will directly impact readiness, maintenance and training, he said.

“We are gonna weaken the United States and make it much more difficult for us to respond to the crises in the world."

“In a world of responsible politics, it should not happen,” Panetta added.